VET 110 Veterinary Tech Clinics I
2 hrs. (Clin 6)
PREREQUISITE: Admission to program
This course provides students with required clinical skills to be completed in approved clinical sites. Topics may include but are not limited to medical care and basic clinical procedures in various animal species. Upon course completion, the student should be able to understand the responsibilities of a veterinary technician and begin the development of fundamental skills.
VET 112 Introduction to Veterinary Technology
5 hrs. (3-Clin 6)
PREREQUISITE: Admission to program
This course introduces students to the profession of veterinary technology/veterinary nursing. The course didactic material and required clinical skills are designed to introduce the student to veterinary hospital fundamentals. Topics may include but are not limited to professionalism, communication, general veterinary practice and procedures; The Alabama Veterinary Practice Act, ethics, jurisprudence, medical terminology; identification of animals, basic animal behavior, handling and restraint, care and nutrition. The course introduces students to the areas of small animal parasitology, diagnostic and surgical procedures, equine and farm animal nursing, sanitation and biosecurity, and client relations. Upon course completion, students should have a general understanding of the profession of veterinary technology/ veterinary nursing and be able to demonstrate sound decision making, professionalism, and effectively assist veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians with basic veterinary procedures in a clinical setting such as collect samples, administer medications, perform fecal analysis, know different breeds of animals, understand parasite life cycles, understand and adhere to OSHA regulations and safety procedures.
VET 114 Anatomy and Physiology of Animals
5 hrs. (4-2)
PREREQUISITE: Admission to program
This course is designed specifically for students in the two-year veterinary technology program and covers the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology of animals. Topics include all body systems and laboratory dissection. Upon course completion, the student should be able to identify major tissues and organs, understand the physiology of organs and organ systems, and understand the physiological basis for the development of clinical laboratory testing.
VET 120 Veterinary Tech Clinics II
3 hrs. (Clin 9)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, and 114 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course provides students with required clinical skills to be completed in approved clinical sites in the areas of surgery, and clinical medicine in various animal species. Required skills may include but are not limited to surgical and nursing care, and clinical medicine. Upon course completion, those skills learned from the previous semester should be reinforced and the student should have learned some new technical procedures.
VET 122 Veterinary Technology Emergencies and First Aid
5 hrs. (4-Clin 3)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, and 114 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course is designed to teach the basic principles in emergency treatment of various animal species and incorporates actual management in a clinical environment. Topics may include but are not limited to emergency information, equipment and drugs, initial examination, evaluation and treatment, shock, cardiac arrest, respiratory emergencies, fluid therapy, blood collection and transfusion, emergency treatment of specific conditions, poisonings, and large animal emergencies. Upon course completion, the student should be able to demonstrate sound decision making, triage, and administer first aid to animals needing immediate attention.
VET 124 Clinical Procedures and Pathology
4 hrs. (3-Clin 3)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, and 114 unless special arrangement has been made with the Program.
This course introduces students to common laboratory techniques and diagnostic methods. Students will begin developing laboratory skills with an emphasis in the areas of urology and hematology. Topics of study may include but are not limited to the basic laboratory, hematology, bone marrow and blood cytology, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, function tests of the liver, kidney, pancreas, and thyroid, diagnostic cytology, and postmortem examinations; required clinical skills will be completed in approved clinical sites. The study of medical vocabulary is continued. Upon course completion, the student should be able to understand the physiological basis used for diagnostic testing and to perform the laboratory procedures outlined in the course material.
VET 126 Animal Diseases and Immunology
3 hrs. (3-0)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, and 114 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the importance and transmissibility of common animal diseases and with immunological principles involved in prophylaxis, treatment and recovery. Topics of study may include but are not limited to the aspects of the immune response that affect immunization and diagnosis and familiarizing the student with the common infectious diseases and immunization schedules of domestic animals. Upon course completion, the student should be able to communicate with clients regarding preventable diseases and zoonotic implications and should also be able to assist with formulation of immunization schedules for various species of animals.
VET 230 Veterinary Tech Clinics III
3 hrs. (Clin 9)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, 114, 120, 122, 124, 126, 234 and 236 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course provides students with required clinical skills to be completed in approved clinical sites. Topics may include but are not limited to surgical and nursing care, dentistry, and clinical medicine. Upon course completion, those skills learned from the previous semester should be reinforced and the student should have learned new technical procedures.
VET 232 Anesthesia and Diagnostic Imaging
4 hrs. (3-3)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, 114, 120, 122, 124, 126, 234 and 236 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course introduces the student to principles of anesthesia, diagnostic imaging, and safety. Topics may include but are not limited to an introduction to anesthesia, patient evaluation and preparation, pre-anesthetic considerations, local anesthesia, assessing the depth of general anesthesia, injectable anesthetic drugs, inhalation anesthesia, introduction to radiography, the radiograph machine, darkroom, radiographic films, general principles of positioning, radiographic protocol, safety measures, quality control, introduction to ultrasonography, patient preparation, and equipment controls. Required clinical skills will be completed in approved clinical sites. Upon course completion, the student should be able to properly anesthetize and monitor animals under anesthesia, apply the care and knowledge necessary to produce good quality diagnostic radiographs, and follow appropriate safety measures.
VET 234 Animal Pharmacology and Toxicology
3 hrs. (3-0)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, 114, 124 and 126 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course is designed to give the student exposure to veterinary drugs and teach the importance of dosage calculations, proper administration, and the recognition of intended and adverse events and reactions in various animal species. Topics may include but are not limited to introduction and principles of pharmacology; antimicrobials; disinfectants; drugs affecting the nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems; anti-inflammatories; antiparasitics; euthanasia solutions; and pharmacy and inventory control. Upon course completion, the student should be able to properly calculate drug dosages; fill, label, and dispense medications; recognize the various classifications of drugs; and have knowledge regarding the dangers and toxicosis of various medications.
VET 236 Veterinary Parasitology and Microbiology
3 hrs. (3-0)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, 114, 124 and 126 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course is designed to provide students with practical knowledge of common pathogens in various animal species. Students will learn how to select and collect samples and data for laboratory processing or submission to another laboratory. Topics may include but are limited to identification of causative agents of diseases; classification and nomenclature of bacteria; morphology and physiology of bacteria; bacteria and disease; laboratory procedures in bacteriology; gram positive and gram negative bacteria; spiral and curved bacteria; actinomycetes organisms; fungi; virology; review of common parasites of various animal species. Upon course completion, the student should be able to properly collect and handle bacteriological specimens, identify organisms by various staining procedures, and have a basic knowledge of parasite life cycles, as well as methods of identification of the commonly encountered parasites.
VET 240 Veterinary Tech Clinics IV
3 hrs. (Clin 9)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, 114, 120, 122, 124, 126, 234, and 236 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course provides students with required clinical skills to be completed in approved clinical sites. . Topics may include but are not limited to previous clinical course materials and introduction to more advanced skills in various animal species. Upon course completion, the student should be proficient in those skills reinforced from previous semesters and new skills introduced.
VET 242 Animal Nutrition and Laboratory Animals
3 hrs. (2-3)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, and 114, unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the basic concepts of animal nutrition of various animal species and laboratory animal maintenance, husbandry, and handling. Topics may include but are not limited to include canine dietetics, feline dietetics, nutritional management of small animal disease, feeding the neonate, nutritional management of the convalescent animal, fundamentals of nutrition, principles of disease prevention, housing and equipment, job opportunities, biology of common lab animals, basic principles of research and necessity for use of lab animals, techniques, and zoonosis; required clinical skills will be completed in approved clinical sites. Upon course completion, the student should be able to formulate a nutritional plan for the healthy and sick animal. The student should be able to handle, care for, and collect diagnostic samples and have basic knowledge of the diseases of the commonly used laboratory animals.
VET 244 Review in Veterinary Technology
3 hrs. (3-0)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, 114, 120, 122, 124, 126, 230, 232, 234, 236, 240, and 246 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course is designed to review critical topics covered during the two years of the veterinary technology curriculum along with review questions and tests associated with these topics to prepare students for professional licensing exams and employment. Topics may include but are not limited to anatomy and physiology, pharmacy and pharmacology, surgical nursing, dentistry, laboratory procedures, animal care and nursing, diagnostic imaging, anesthesia, emergency medicine and critical care, pain management/analgesia, and communication and veterinary professional support services. Students will also receive instruction on post-graduation skills necessary in the areas of personal and professional development for employment and career satisfaction. Upon course completion, the student should be prepared for the Veterinary Technician National Exam, securing gainful employment as a veterinary technician, and contributing to the elevation and advancement of the veterinary profession.
VET 246 Veterinary Tech Farm Animal Clinics
2 hrs. (Clin 6)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, 114, 120, 122, 124, 126, 234, and 236 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
This course provides students with the required clinical skills to be completed in approved clinical sites in the areas of farm animals. Topics may include but are not limited to restraint, bandaging, venipunctures, radiography, patient care, and medication administration. Upon course completion, the student should be able to have a working knowledge of fundamental farm animal skills.
VET 250 Veterinary Tech Preceptorship
3 hrs. (Prec 15)
PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed VET 110, 112, 114, 120, 122, 124, 126, 230, 232, 234, 236, 240 and 246 unless special arrangements have been made with the Program.
The veterinary technology preceptorship consists of one academic semester of work experience in an approved clinical site. A student evaluation report from the clinical supervisor will be necessary for the course completion and also for meeting requirements for graduation. The clinical practice will include clinical instruction in all areas of a veterinary practice as deemed necessary by the clinical supervisor and program requirements. Upon course completion, the student should be able to apply all procedures learned in the veterinarian technology program to the practice environment.
